Eric Zetterholm was out photographing the two Gualala River Bald Eagles when he got this evocative photo of one of the eagles and the waning Moon visible that afternoon.
Isn't it beautiful? Thanks to Eric for allowing me to share it with you here.
Clouds began piling in this afternoon. Yes, rain is on the way!
It was a stormy day when Eric Zetterholm discovered the mated pair of Bald Eagles back in residence at the Gualala River. Here's Eric's story.
Eric wrote, “Yesterday, Sunday the 5th, I spotted a Bald Eagle on the river at my lunch hour around noon. I slipped into the Mill Bend parking area and walked down river to get some pictures. The Eagle was set on snag in the river as some fog and light rain started to move in. After just a few minutes the Eagle was subjected to the attention of a Peregrine Falcon who swooped down through the mist.
“The Eagle took off in pursuit and was joined by its mate who came from somewhere on the river side. The Bald Eagles chased the Falcon some and then they landed on the riverbank. The Peregrine made a few more passes but the Eagles were able to make it known that they intended to stay. The Eagles moved then to the trees above the Mill Bend as I headed back to the car to return to work. There seems to be something about rain that brings the eagles back to our Gualala River. I was very happy to see the pair here again.”
Here's a photo of one of the Bald Eagles taken on a sunny day by Eric.
And on page one of the ICO Community News this week is a beautiful photo of the Bald Eagle and the waning moon. Way to go, Eric!
Thanks to Eric for allowing me to share his photos with you here.
Lots of overnight and early morning rain today. More than 1.40 inches! Maybe this storm will bring our seasonal creeks to life. The forecast after today is clear through Thanksgiving. This coming week could be an exceptional wild mushroom week. Hooray!
Eric Zetterholm has been looking for the mated pair of Bald Eagles who frequented the mouth of the Gualala River. It's been several months since we've seen them. Last week Eric saw what we think is one of the Gualala Bald Eagles.
It's wonderful to see this majestic bird!
Thanks to Eric for allowing me to share his photos with you here.
Sunny with afternoon breezes. Bonus sighting: the first Boletus edulis, King Boletes, have been seen!
It turns out there are two juvenile Great Horned Owls at the southern part of The Sea Ranch. Eric Zetterholm wrote, “I saw the two young owls together on the rooftop of what I think are airplane hangers at the TSR airstrip. It's been foggy at sunset for the past week but on a couple nights the owls were extremely kind in landing in shorter trees close to the roadside. One owl flew to a treetop just before us, almost as if to greet us."
"I’m very surprised at how close I have been able to get with Sydney [the dog] on leash walking up the street. The owls seem to favor the Timber Ridge side of the airstrip and most evenings are starting out with calls coming from the trees around the sag pond there. I’m very much enjoying having owls in walking distance from the house.” Eric got a cute photo of the two owls from the back."
Their fluffy feathers show they are juveniles. And their screaming to be fed also is a big clue!
To see the photo of these two owls from the front, check out today's Independent Coast Observer Community News newspaper! To subscribe, here's the website: https://mendonoma.com/subscribe.htm That way you'd also get to read my weekly column, Mendonoma Sightings!
Thanks to Eric for allowing me to share his photos with you here.
It was quite warm here yesterday, but it cooled off nicely today. Fog is coming up from the south, which is a little unusual - it usually comes from the north.
Eric Zetterholm wrote, "Amy had her daughter Aurora here on the 7th and we all came across Diane Hichwa on a walk to see the sunset. Diane said there was an owl in the area and we followed her a little further down the street to have a look. At the south end of the airstrip at The Sea Ranch, we had a Great Horned Owl land in a tree just above our heads"
This is the owl that hoots. You can hear their call at this link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Great_Horned_Owl/sounds
There are young Great Horned Owls calling for food now - and it's not the hooting call, it's a screaming call! Young owls have been seen and heard at Stewart's Point and at Sea Ranch.
I love owls! Thanks to Eric for allowing me to share his photo with you here.
A mild day with no wind. White clouds are drifting by and just a wisp of fog over the ocean. Highs in the low 70's. Pretty wonderful.